Elephant Grounds Manila (A Review)
Elephant Grounds Manila is the Hongkong third-wave coffee franchise concept by The Standard Group (of Yabu and Ippudo fame) with the dynamic chef duo of Nicco Santos (executive chef) and Quenee Villar (formerly of Hey Handsome).
In Manila, it’s known more as an all-day brunch One Bonifacio restaurant, noted for its food more than its coffee. As the opening hype and queuing lines die down, here’s what we think of Elephant Grounds in Manila.
ELEPHANT GROUNDS MANILA
Independent micro-roaster and café concept from Hong Kong
Lower Ground Floor, One Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday to Saturday 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Mobile: +63 999 887-1417
Facebook: Elephant Grounds Manila
Instagram: @elephantgroundsph
First Things First
Elephant Grounds Manila is located on the ground floor of the prestigious One Bonifacio beside HK-based Chino.
Elephant Grounds Menu: Food | Drinks
Known for their third-wave coffee and ice cream, they also serve brunch food—waffle, rice bowls and toasts.
It’s a hip place to hang out when meeting up with friends for an inspiring creative session or just casual chica.
Waffles
Bacon-Steak and Eggs Waffle (₱420). House smoke bacon-steak, sunny-side-up eggs, sauteed mushrooms, housemade Belgian waffles, whipped honey butter, maple syrup.
You’ll love the bacon served as a slab of steak goodness with egg and a choice of waffle, sourdough or rice donburi bowl style.
Duck and Waffle (₱595). Roasted duck confit, housemade Belgian waffles, duck jus, maple syrup, sunny-side-up egg.
The best item was the duck leg cooked in its fat served with its jus which evoked memories of D&W in London (minus the view).
DRINKS
Coffee ranges from ₱120 – ₱185. It was a lot better than your usual chain coffee and served the way you like it.
Salted Caramel Latte (₱185) made with handcrafted sauces and syrups.
Salted Caramel for something happy after the meal or to get you in the mood for conversation.
Sunset Iced Tea (₱120)
A Sunset Iced Tea to cheer you up and to celebrate the wins of the day.
Masala Chai Latte (₱150) + Iced (₱10)
A drink for those times you need creative inspiration or anytime you want something to spice your morning.
SANDWICHES/ TOAST
They make their own bread, cakes and pastries to make sure every carb counts (and don’t go to waste).
Egg Salad Toast (₱220). Housemade egg salad and furikake, spring onions, pickled cucumber, farmer’s green.
I love my toasts with simple but overflowing toppings like this egg salad toast.
EG Angus Sourdough Burger (₱495). Angus beef, yellow cheddar, tomato, caramelized onions, sourdough, served with skinny fries.
Angus beef burger on sourdough—resembles a panini more and is good for two.
RICE BOWLS
Tapa Donburi (₱430). Marinated beef yakiniku, roasted eggplant salad topped with dried anchovies, sunny side-up egg, garlic Japanese rice.
Their best seller is Tapsilog in a bowl with bacon-like marinated tapa and eggs on top of Japanese rice. Yum!
Prawn Paste Chicken (₱385). Crispy chicken thigh, papaya salad, Thai lemongrass paste, steamed Japanese rice (mildly spicy).
For those times you like something mildly spiced with tangy lemongrass and prawn saltiness in your bowl of chicken & rice.
Duck Krapow (₱460). Stir-fried duck, crispy fried eggs, papaya salad, steamed Japanese rice.
This is the bowl to satisfy your Hey Handsome craving, with stir-fried duck and flossy egg mess. Nakaka-miss.
ICE CREAM
Of course, you have to end your visit with their own hand-crafted ice cream and their signature flavors.
Toasted Rice (₱150), Earl Grey (₱150) Homemade Ice Cream
You have to try the signature Philippine flavor, tutong rice for something savory, or their Earl Grey to clean your palate.
Acai Mixed Berry (₱150)
This if you prefer a fruity healthy kind of ice cream that is not too sweet to make every calorie count.
High Societea (₱165). Chocolate chip cookie, earl grey ice cream, Biscoff cookies.
If you want to indulge, try the ice cream sandwich of earl grey tea with Biscoff and chocolate chip. Once you bite you can’t stop.
Red Velvet Oreo Smash (₱165). Red velvet cookies, cookies n cream ice cream, crushed Oreos.
It’s like a red velvet cupcake a la mode with cookies n cream and Oreos flavor.
Final Thoughts
Overall, you’ll love meeting up at Elephant Grounds because you can feel the creative energy from the people, the service and the food. Excellence attracts excellence; I do hope they maintain this culture and quality of the food and drinks.
It’s like a Chef Nicco restaurant with a third wave cafe hip vibe. Don’t miss the Duck & Waffle, Sourdough Toasts, Duck Krapow and Toasted Rice Ice Cream. Budget about ₱500/head.
Congratulations to Chef Nicco Santos and Quenee Villar for a job well done with the food and execution of the cafe concept at Elephant Grounds!
ELEPHANT GROUNDS MANILA
Independent micro-roaster and café concept from Hong Kong
Lower Ground Floor, One Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday to Saturday 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Mobile: +63 999 887-1417
Facebook: Elephant Grounds Manila
Instagram: @elephantgroundsph
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: We paid for our meal. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions and insights.
P.S. Love the attention to detail—elephant designs on the bowl and branding on the stools.
